Madelyn Howard’s (Citronelle) painting of a breaching sailfish not only took home top honors for the 2009 Alabama State-Fish Art Contest in grades 4-6, but she was also awarded second place in the Best of Show category for Grades 4-6 at the national State-Fish Art Expo held in August at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.

Each year Wildlife Forever conducts a national State-Fish Art Contest. Alabama’s State Freshwater Fish is the largemouth bass and State Saltwater Fish is the “fighting tarpon.” Three students represented Alabama in the national art contest: a fourth through sixth grade winner, a seventh through ninth grade winner and tenth through twelfth grade winner. Entries included a one-page composition about the fish.

The 2009 Alabama’s State-Fish Art Contest winners were spread throughout the state. Madelyn Howard, from Citronelle attends Lott Middle School, won for grades 4-6 with her painting of a breaching sailfish. Taylor Perkins, a 7th grader from Floyd Middle Magnet School in Montgomery, won for grades 7-9 by drawing a largemouth bass chasing a crankbait. Anna Riley, from Hoover is an 11th grader at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, won for grades 10-12 by drawing upon her creativity and sketching a pair of largemouth bass as part of the food chain.

Madelyn Howard also won 2nd place in the Best of Show category for Grades 4-6 in the Wildlife Forever State Fish Art Contest. Madelyn received the award during the State-Fish Art Expo held at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. on Aug 1.

“Madelyn’s win at the State-Fish Art Expo showcases the artistic talent of Alabama’s students and draws attention to the diversity of fish species in our state,” said Barnett Lawley, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner. “We are very proud of her.”

The nationwide contest encourages young artists to draw and learn about state-fish from across the country. The students also compete for art scholarships to attend the Art Institutes International Minnesota. The contest is open to all students in grades 4-12. Entries are separated into three grade categories: 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Winning contestants from every state are honored in each category and have the opportunity to attend the State-Fish Art Expo.

Wildlife Forever is a non-profit conservation organization based in Minnesota that works to preserve America’s wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and scientific management of fish and wildlife species. Wildlife Forever projects in Alabama include the Alabama Goose Restoration Project, Flint Creek fish habitat improvements and the Tsinia Wildlife Viewing Area at Alabama’s Tuskegee National Forest.